The 49ers are where the Raiders were three years ago – drastically undermanned, in the midst of unrelenting losing, and with Fort Knox-like money under the salary cap. Obviously, the 10-2 Raiders have made the right moves in hiring coach Jack Del Rio, drafting players like Derek Carr and Amari Cooper, and acquiring players like …

By age 8, Donte Whitner already had defied a dire medical prognosis.
If he wanted to play football, though, the kid who’d been told he might not walk again had to defy Deborah Whitner, his no-nonsense single mom.
Deborah wasn’t about to let Donte p… …

In the latest sign the 49ers-Cowboys rivalry isn’t what it once was, it appears the only pregame trash talk this week will be supplied by a kicker.

Dallas’ David Buehler offered the only item resembling bulletin-board material when he told the Dallas Morning News that Niners kick returner Ted Ginn was dangerous. Then, oddly, he followed by more or less calling Ginn soft.

If today’s 49ers players want a lively reminder of the rich history between their franchise and the Dallas Cowboys, they need only listen to former wide receiver Dwight Clark.
Nearly 30 years after becoming an everlasting symbol o… …

look back at several San Francisco 49ers players who played important roles during the team’s championship years. Remember Paul Hofer, Jim Stuckey, Dwaine Board? They’re just a few of the hard-working players who helped make the 49ers great. (Peter Hartlaub) …

— Dashon Goldson sounds ready to play, but it doesn’t appear that he will.
The safety missed the season opener with a knee injury. This week, Goldson said that his knee is much better, but that he has not gotten the practice needed.
“I don’t know i… …

— The 49ers are in full Bill Belichick mode in their approach to hosting the Cowboys on Sunday at Candlestick Park.
The Patriots coach reduces opposing teams to nameless, faceless entities devoid of history. The other team is just an indifferent asse… …

Niners wide receiver Michael Crabtree and safety Dashon Goldson took a positive step in their attempts to play against the visiting Cowboys on Sunday as they had a more active role in Thursday’s practice.
A day after serving as onlookers during the por… …

After running back Frank Gore, the biggest financial commitment the 49ers made to a player in the offseason was in re-signing defensive end Ray McDonald.
And after one regular-season game, the very early returns are in on McDonald’s five-year, $20 mill… …